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DATE OF DETECTION: August 26th 8:10 p.m.

CAUSE: Lightning

CURRENT SIZE: 315 acres

CONTAINMENT: 75%

LOCATION: 3 miles west of Hamilton, MT

AGENCY: Bitterroot National Forest

Fire behavior yesterday was minimal; concentrated heavy fuels and duff continued to burn within the perimeter. Crews again took advantage of favorable weather conditions and reinforced fire lines along the northern and southern flanks. Firefighters worked into Sawdust Creek drainage, looking for hotspots and completing "mop-up" operations. Engine crews supported "mop-up" operations, working 66 feet inside fire lines along the northern and eastern flanks near the private structures. Additional excess resources no longer needed were released throughout the day.

Crews will continue reinforcing the hand line, tying into rocky outcroppings that act as natural barriers to fire spread. Engine crews will continue to patrol and "mop-up" hot spots.

Today's weather forecast calls for continued favorable conditions through Thursday, with lingering cool temperatures, higher relative humidity and a chance of precipitation. Although fire behavior should be minimal, interior smokes may be visible as heavy fuels within the perimeter may continue to smolder. A slight warming and drying trend will move into the area on Friday, and another disturbance with additional precipitation is forecast for Sunday.

Transfer of command from the Northern Rockies Type II Incident Management Team (Mark Grant) and the Hamilton Rural Fire Department (Brad Mohn) to the Bitterroot National Forest occurred at 6 a.m. on September 1st. A local Type III Incident Management Team (Cary Taylor) is managing the fire. Incident Command Post is located at 501 Westside Drive.

Resources assigned to the fire include two 20-person crews and two engines. Support from aircraft and local fire engines is available, as needed.

Steep rugged terrain, heavy fuels and numerous snags are the safety concerns for fire crews.

Forest closures for National Forest System Roads #735, 736, 714 and Trails #19, 101 and 525 have been lifted.

Approximately 170 residences remain under a Stage 1 evacuation alert. Local law enforcement will be patrolling the fire area and asks those residents not directly affected by the fire to refrain from entering the area to ensure their safety. Those traveling on roads adjacent to the fire area should expect heavy fire traffic, especially in the Grubstake Road, Wyant Lane and Westside Drive areas.

For the latest closure details, fire information, along with maps and photos visit www.inciweb.org, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BitterrootNF, or call the Bitterroot National Forest at 406-363-7100.